Pepperdine Professors Recognized with Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence

The Office of the Provost awarded eight faculty members with the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence at the annual Pepperdine University Faculty Conference in Malibu on October 4, 2019. The highest honor bestowed by Pepperdine for teaching, the Howard A. White Award recognizes outstanding professors who embody the institution’s commitment to excellence, highlights the work of those who inspire and challenge students to think critically and creatively, and honors those who instill in their students a lifetime love of learning. 

Lila Carlsen, associate provost and chair of the Committee for Teaching Excellence, announced the winners and provost Rick R. Marrs presented the winners with engraved medals and framed certificates. All eight awardees exemplify the criteria of the Howard A. White Award of rigorous, thought-provoking teaching, investment in student development through mentoring or advising, and mastery of the subject matter.

Awards were given in two categories: 

• Category I: Full-time faculty members who have taught at Pepperdine for six or more years or have tenure. This award includes a $4,000 stipend. 
• Category II: Full-time faculty members who have taught at Pepperdine for less than six years and are untenured. This award includes a $2,000 stipend. 

Below are the Category I awardees: 

Stella Erbes 
Divisional Dean of Humanities and Teacher Education and Associate Professor of Teacher Education 
Seaver College

David Han 
Professor of Law
School of Law

Carolyn Keatinge
Senior Lecturer of Psychology 
Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Abraham Park 
Associate Dean of Full-Time Programs and Associate Professor of Finance 
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

Jane Kelley Rodeheffer 
Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books and Professor of Great Books 
Seaver College

Cooker Perkins Storm 
Associate Professor of Sports Medicine 
Seaver College

Below are the Category II awardees:

Ebony Cain
Assistant Professor of Education 
Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Felicity Vabulas 
Assistant Professor of International Studies 
Seaver College

This annual award honors the legacy of Pepperdine University’s fifth president, Howard A. White, a gifted teacher, recognized historian, and faithful steward of the University throughout his 30 years of service to Pepperdine. For additional information about the Howard A. White Awards, visit the Pepperdine University website.